Method for treating liver dysfunction

Abstract

A method for treating liver dysfunction includes administering at least one member selected from a chitin oligosaccharide, a chitosan oligosaccharide and salts thereof, in an effective amount. As the chitin oligosaccharide, preferred is an oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 7. As the chitosan oligosaccharide, preferred is an oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 8. As the method for administration, it is preferred to add these oligosaccharides to foods, medicines or feeds, and to orally ingest them. However, when used as medicines, administration methods such as intravenous injection and muscular injection may be used.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for treating liver dysfunction, which comprises: 
       administering at least one member selected from the group consisting of a chitin oligosaccharide, a chitosan oligosaccharide, and salts thereof, in an effective amount,  
       wherein when the member administered includes at least one chitin oliyosaccharide, the chitin oligosaccharide or oligosaccharides have a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 7, and when the member administered includes at least one chitosan oligosaccharide, the chitosan oligosaccharide or oligosaccharides have a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 8.  
     
     
       2. The method for treating liver dysfunction according to claim  1 , wherein the member administered is at least one chitin oligosaccharide with a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 7, or salts thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method for treating liver dysfunction according to claim  1 , wherein the member administered is at least one chitosan oligosaccharide with a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 8, or salts thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method for treating liver dysfunction according to claim  1 , wherein the administration is oral administration. 
     
     
       5. The method for treating liver dysfunction according to claim  4 , wherein the member is administered in a dose of 0.1 to 1000 mg per kilogram of body weight. 
     
     
       6. The method for treating liver dysfunction according to claim  1 , wherein the member is administered in a dose of 0.1 to 1000 mg per kilogram of body weight. 
     
     
       7. The method for treating liver dysfunction according to claim  1 , wherein the member is administered in a dose of 0.01 to 100 mg per kilogram of body weight. 
     
     
       8. The method for treating liver dysfunction according to claim  1 , wherein the member is administered as an inorganic acid salt selected from the group consisting of hydrochlorides and sulfates. 
     
     
       9. The method for treating liver dysfunction according to claim  1 , wherein the member is administered as an organic acid salt selected from the group consisting of acetates, lactates, and formates.